Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Rashid Pelpuo, has reaffirmed his commitment to reducing unemployment in Ghana and ensuring that job recruitment processes across the public sector are conducted transparently and fairly.
In a post on his official Facebook page, Dr. Pelpuo expressed concern over the recent stampede during a military recruitment exercise, describing it as “saddening” and “avoidable.”
He said the process could have been organized “in a more dignified and respectable manner.”
“Any employment opportunity creates excitement for young people because they don’t want to be unemployed,” he wrote, adding that the discipline and prestige of the military continue to attract many young people to enlist.
Dr. Pelpuo highlighted the government’s achievements in job creation, noting that the agriculture sector remains the leading employer, while the manufacturing industry is also expanding rapidly.
“Jobs are created almost every day in this country because of the policies we run,” he stated. He revealed that about 300 professional Ghanaians have recently qualified to work abroad under bilateral labour arrangements, with some already deployed to various countries.
The Minister emphasized the government’s resolve to avoid politically motivated employment, vowing not to repeat what he described as “last-minute recruitments” carried out by the previous administration.
“About 12,000 people were employed without interviews or advertisements when the NPP realised they had lost the election,” he alleged.
“Some of the last-minute recruitments were so needless that some didn’t even have places to sit.”
Dr. Pelpuo said his ministry is working to correct systemic lapses in the public sector employment structure and ensure fairness and efficiency in future recruitment exercises.
He further disclosed that the government is advancing plans to implement the 24-hour economy policy by next year, a move he said will boost productivity and create more jobs for the youth.
According to him, several foreign companies have expressed interest in establishing their West African hubs in Ghana — an initiative he described as part of a broader national strategy to expand employment opportunities.
“I would like to be remembered for my determination to end unemployment in this country and for inspiring young people to go beyond the ordinary,” Dr. Pelpuo concluded.
Source :www.kumasimail.com
